Aucklanders get to have their say on Council Spending

March 02, 2018

Auckland Council’s 10-year Budget, released today for consultation, will focus on building infrastructure and providing more transparency about what ratepayer money will be spent on. The consultation provides a good opportunity for road transport owners and workers to have their say on what happens with Auckland’s transport infrastructure investment.

The council’s consultation runs from 28 February to 28 March and asks Aucklanders for their feedback on important issues such as investing in critical transport infrastructure through a regional fuel tax and targeted rates to clean up Auckland’s beaches, and to protect its environment. The Auckland Plan to 2050 is also being released for consultation.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said, “Our 10-year Budget sets out the critical investment and new funding mechanisms needed to ensure our city can address challenges such as traffic congestion, housing affordability, and protection of our environment. It outlines how we intend to do this while keeping rates low and reasonable.

“This 10-year Budget will see Auckland Council’s transport infrastructure spend increase from $7.9 billion to over $11 billion for the next decade. The fuel tax will provide up to $1.5 billion, plus government subsidies on a dollar-for-dollar basis, increasing our ability to meet our transport needs.

“This 10-year Budget will see low and reasonable general rates rises. For the rest of the current council term, general rates rises will be held to 2.5 percent. This is needed for council to deliver vital services across the community and to start to tackle the problems Aucklanders want us to fix.

“Tackling congestion and cleaning up our beaches cannot be left in the too hard basket. We need to deal with them now and not leave them for future generations to solve.

“It is important to us that Aucklanders have their say. There are many ways to get involved including Have your Say and community feedback events, and events targeted at specific groups including Maori and Pasifika.

“A wide cross-section of Aucklanders will be surveyed to ensure we get a full range of opinions,” said Mr Goff.